Monday, June 29, 2009

Management has changed its position from not saying anything during the hearings at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) (and privately daring the workers to file a court case for illegal suspension) to an offer to retrench the workers and pay a separation rate of P2,000 (approximately US$40) per year of service. That is below the standard set by the Labor Code that retrenchment in cases where the company is not suffering losses should be a month's wage per year of service (the minimum wage prevailing at Cebu is roughly P7,000 (US$140) a month). At the hearing today at the NCMB, management raised the offer to P3,000 (approximate US$60).

The workers are refusing management's offer of separation. Likewise, the workers do not want to pursue a case at the labor court for illegal suspension since the system is so corrupt and even when the workers get a favorable decision, it would take a year or more. Instead the workers would rather fight it out through protests and solidarity.

Hundreds of workers from around a dozen unions and associations in Metro Cebu held a “Day of Solidarity” for the embattled workers of Keppel shipyard and Paul Yu, a lamp shade factory inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone. Some 300 workers trooped to the picketline of the striking Keppel union and held a program from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

“The day of solidarity is an opportunity for Cebuano workers to express their support and sympathy to fellow laborers who are in the midst of disputes and struggles against capitalists who are using the crisis as an alibi to demolish workers rights and undercut labor standards. We consider the fight of Keppel and Paul Yu workers as our own fight. An injury to one is an injury to all,” declared Greg Janginon, president of the Prince Warehouse union and Partido ng Manggagawa chairperson for Cebu.

The Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Baradero (NMB) Keppel Shipyard-National Federation of Labor (NFL) has been on strike since June 19 after charging management of union busting. Meanwhile Paul Yu management has suspended more than 300 after one week of protests in support of seven leaders who had earlier been suspended. Roger Igot, president of the Keppel union, and Willy Dondoyano, head of the Paul Yu Workers Association, thanked the workers who attended the day of solidarity. “We can only succeed in our struggle on the strength of the militancy of the workers and the solidarity of the labor movement,” Igot averred.

The online campaign of the Paul Yu union has generated massive sympathy worldwide with more than a thousand supporters from more than 20 countries sending letters of protest through email to the management with copies furnished to the DOLE and PEZA. Paul Yu exports its lamp shades mainly to the US and Europe market. Those are the same areas where the Paul Yu workers have inspired support with hundreds of unionists and allies sending emails from the US, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia.

Dondoyano stated that “We appreciate the support from fellow Cebuano workers and unionists from abroad. This outpouring of solidarity encourages us to continue with the fight.” A hearing was held this morning at the NCMB with management offering to terminate the protesting workers and pay them P3,000 per year of service. The offer is below the standards set by the Labor Code which in cases of companies that are not suffering serious losses must grant their workers a month’s pay per year of service. The Paul Yu workers refused management’s offer.

Workers from Altamode, SAWO, Giardini, Prince Warehouse, Neostone, General Milling Corp., Lami Foods and members of PM participated in the day of solidarity. A series of speakers spoke of the workers demands against layoffs, reduction of work days, contractualization and violations of labor standards as common grievances of workers inside and outside the export zone. The workers vowed to continue with more solidarity activities and mass actions until the Keppel and Paul Yu disputes are resolved.

“It may be David versus Gloriath in the second district of Pampanga but in Negros, it will be an Obrero versus Haciendero Arroyo.”

This is how Teofilo Agravante Jr., Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)-Negros chairperson, describes the politics in Negros island in 2010 should the working class pits itself against the traditional politicians who are big capitalist- landowners themselves.

Since it is not physically possible for the workers of Negros to extend their support to Prof. Randy David’s fight against Gloriath, they rather launch their own “war” on another place ruled by another Arroyo.

Agravante said the PM-Negros plans to field its candidate for the fifth congressional district of Negros Occidental if Iggy Arroyo runs unchallenged.

If this would be the case, this would be an unorthodox realization of class struggle between a representative of the big capitalist landowners and the workers.

PM-Negros said politics in Negros has been a politics of land monopoly and monopoly of political power by the big capitalist-landowners for almost a century.

“For the workers and the poor to end the cycle of poverty and gain political freedom in the region, a radical change must be instituted. This may be a long, long way but changes must be initiated nonetheless, and participating in electoral struggle is an arena of battle for the working class,” explained Agravante.

Agravante added that the seemingly formidable Goliaths in the bastion of sugar industry could be vanquished by the Davids of a united working class.

“Labor power in mass struggles must be translated to labor votes. Votes that for a long period of time have been lent by the workers and poor to the trapos must now be cast for the true representatives of the working class, either through direct election or through a party-list system,” Agravante concluded.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Workers of Paul Yu, a Taiwanese-owned factory in the Mactan Export Processing Zone in Lapu-Lapu City producing lamp shades for the global and local market, have brought their fight to cyberspace even as they continue their protests on the ground. The Paul Yu workers association has started an online campaign to garner support for their fight against management which has suspended not just seven leaders but more than 300 workers who have participated in protests.

“We were inspired by protesters against con-ass who use cyberspace and blogs. But in our case, an online campaign also broadcasts our appeal to labor and advocacy groups abroad. The main customers of Paul Yu are in the US and Europe where there is heightened consumer and corporate consciousness in patronizing products which have been made in factories which respect codes of conduct, labor standards and workers rights,” explained Willy Dondoyano, president of the Paul Yu workers association.

The Paul Yu workers struggle continues to gain solidarity from abroad with a letter of concern signed by the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) sent today to the management with copies furnished to the Labor Department and the Philippine Export Zone Authority.

The UE letter states that “We will be watching this situation closely, and urge you to take immediate steps to ensure that the labor protections and associational rights of your employees under both domestic and international law are respected. It is our hope that you will reverse the suspensions and engage in a serous and meaningful dialog with the workers association in order to regularize employment and create a work environment beneficial to both your employees and the company.” The letter was signed by top three national officers of the union which represent 35,000 workers in the US.

“We appeal to our fellow Filipinos and workers to sign up for the online campaign as an innovative form to complement our grassroots protest,” said Dennis Derige, spokesperson for Partido ng Manggagawa-Cebu. The online campaign can be accessed at http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=543. The background information for the campaign can be seen at http://partidongmanggagawa2001.blogspot.com/2009/06/appeal-for-solidarity-for-paul-yu.html.

Since the online campaign started late last night, over a 14-hour period some 10 unionists from the US, Canada, Germany, Australia, India and Malaysia have already signed up. Over the weekend the US-based advocacy group International Labor Rights Forum also sent a letter to Paul Yu management expressing concern about labor rights violations at the factory.

Monday, June 22, 2009

More than 300 workers of the Paul Yu, a factory in Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) II in Lapu-Lapu City producing lamp shades for the export and local market, were suspended for 30 days starting today for participating in the work stoppage last week in support of seven leaders who were earlier suspended.

Meanwhile a US-based advocacy group, the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF), in a letter sent to the management of Paul Yu with copies furnished to the main and Region 7 offices of the Department of Labor and Employment and Philippine Export Zone Authority, expressed concern over the “serious violations of workers’ rights” at the factory.

“The suspension of hundreds of workers is grave harassment by management. Management is willing to risk disruption of production just to teach the workers a lesson that they must pay for standing up for their rights. We appeal to our fellow workers still working not to be scabs and refuse management’s plan for them to work six days instead of three in order to make up for the loss in manpower,” stated Willy Dondoyano, head of the Paul Yu workers association,

A meeting at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board is scheduled today to hear the major issues raised by the workers such as the reduction of working days, job outsourcing, regularization of agency workers and money claims for three years of non-implementation of paternity leave and service incentive leave. The workers however will push for the resolution of the suspension of the seven leaders and the hundreds of workers.

Dondoyano insisted that “We demand that management immediately lift the suspension on the seven leaders and the hundreds of workers, and for them to negotiate with the association for the redress of workers grievances. If not then we can count on the support of US advocacy and labor groups to send letters of concern to Paul Yu’s American customers for the violations of their vendor ethical codes of conduct.”

The ILRF is an advocacy organization based in Washington, DC dedicated to achieving just and human treatment for workers worldwide. In the letter signed by Trina Tocco, ILRF Deputy Director, it says that “We ask for a prompt and effective solution to this problem. Our organization and others around the world will be monitoring this situation. We await your quick and timely intervention in this urgent and pressing matter.” Partido ng Manggagawa which is supporting the fight of the Paul Yu workers revealed that more expressions of solidarity from abroad are forthcoming.

The workers of Paul-Yu Phils. Corp., a factory in Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) II in Lapu-Lapu City producing lamp shades for the export and local market, have been on a week of work stoppage in support of seven suspended leaders of their workers association. The five days of work stoppage has partially paralyzed the operations of the company as around 400 workers have participated while only a hundred workers were left working.

The suspension of seven leaders of the Paul Yu workers are in retaliation for the protest action last May 8 and the filing of a case last May 21 against management’s numerous unfair labor practices. The preventive suspension on the seven was slapped by management supposedly for an “illegal strike” conducted last May 8.

Paul Yu management is turning the tables on the workers for it is the company that is guilty of illegal acts and unfair labor practice which is spelled out in the case the workers filed last May 21 at the Labor Department. Among these infractions is the three-day workweek implemented since December that lacks proper documentation and due notice with the Labor Department. Moreover, management is reducing the workdays for regular workers even as it continues to outsource 40% of its production to contractors.

The workers also found out that the AVI Amor Vil Inc., the biggest among three agencies that Paul Yu has contracted to supply workers for the factory, is not registered with the Labor Department and is thus another illegal act by management.

Among the protesting workers are agency employees who are up in arms at labor contractualization at Paul Yu. Many agency employees have worked for several years, some as long as five years, yet they remain irregulars whose contracts are renewed continuously every two months. Workers are also complaining of non-payment of holiday pay, non-remittance of social security deductions for agency workers, non-implementation of paternity leave and non-payment of break time.

The Paul Yu workers demands are:

1. Immediate lifting of the suspension on the seven leaders and no retaliatory action on workers who have participated in the protests2. Return to the six-day workweek3. Stop to the outsourcing of production4. Regularization of contractual and agency workers5. Implementation of benefits like holiday pay, paternity leave, break time, and remittance of social security deductions for agency workers

Last May 8 a protest was held to force the management to hear the workers complaints and seek redress of their grievances. The May 8 protest cannot be considered an illegal strike for management agreed to face the workers in a dialogue together with officials of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA). In the minutes of the dialogue that was duly signed by PEZA officials, it is stated that there will be no retaliatory action against workers involved in the protest.

The Paul Yu workers struggle has gained support of other MEPZ workers with members of the newly-formed union at Altamode, a garments factory also in MEPZ II, participating in the protests.

In its website (http://www.paulyu.com.tw/profile.html), Paul Yu claims that it was established 1978 and is one of the largest decorative home lighting and furniture manufacturers in the world with an estimated turnover in 2008 of US$ 54 million. It says that it exports to over 82 countries, including Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Any letters of concern/protest should be sent to Paul Yu’s Taiwan and Cebu offices with copies furnished to the Labor Department (main and regional offices) and Export Zone Authority (main and regional offices). The following are the contact info:

Saturday, June 20, 2009

The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) reiterated its call for a “workers bailout” in the face of the impending closure of another big electronics firm in the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) in Lapu-Lapu City. Celestica, a Canadian-owned factory producing various electronics products, will shutdown its plant inside MEPZ I on August 31 and relocate its Philippine operations to Thailand.

“We call on the government to backtrack from charter revision and instead focus on the economic recession. The closure of Celestica and the layoff of some 900 workers belie the claim of DOLE and NEDA about a rebound in the electronics industry. It is not a slow growth but a sluggish decline that best describes the economy. A bailout of the workers and the poor will put money in the hands of the consumers and revive domestic demand and thus the local economy,” argued Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

PM has been pushing for a bailout package for workers in the light of continuous hemorrhage in jobs in export firms. The bailout includes an unemployment subsidy for displaced workers; tax refund for all wage earners; expansion and reform of the public employment program; extension of health care coverage for displaced workers; and moratorium on demolitions and evictions.

PM contends that the economy is practically in recession and thus urgent action must be taken. “Government cannot keep on whistling in the dark and being in denial about the recession. Intel closed last December, come August it will be Celestica and in between tens of thousands have lost their jobs and many remain without work. An economic revival can only come about through a policy reversal and paradigm shift in the national development model. The policies of liberalization, deregulation and privatization must be stopped. The local economy must be developed by strengthening industry and modernizing agriculture based on agrarian reform,” insisted Magtubo.

Magtubo furthered that “In the immediate period, the workers of Celestica can live off their above-standard separation pay of 45 days per year of service. But if they cannot find another job in the next six months then their living standards will suffer in the medium to long-term period. Workers are being made to pay the price of a crisis that is not of their own making.”

“Celestica is closing its Philippine plant and shifting it to Thailand to take advantage of the cheaper price of labor there. By concentrating production in its Thailand factory, Celestica is able to maintain if not improve its profit amidst the crisis. However they would be throwing their Filipino workers like dirty rags after benefiting from their labor these past five years or even 10 years if we count from the time that Celestica was still called NEC Techonologies Phils.,” argued Magtubo.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Different labor groups under the umbrella of the newly formed Manggagawa Kontra Cha-Cha held a labor forum this afternoon and then organized a noise barrage in the early evening. Renato Magtubo, chairperson of Partido ng Manggagawa and a convenor of the Manggagawa Kontra Cha-Cha said that “The people must show indignation to stop GMA’s titillation of the nation. FVR should join the protests against con-ass if she wants GMA to reveal her plans. Yet the indignation versus cha-cha should aim not just to oblige GMA to express her political intentions but force a retreat from her term extension plan.”

The Manggagawa Kontra Cha-Cha met at the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) from 1 to 5 p.m. to consolidate organized labor’s position on con-ass. The labor groups explained that they oppose con-ass not simply because they resist GMA’s term extension but also because they fight the neoliberal agenda behind cha-cha.

Magtubo explained that “There are those in the broad movement against con-ass who approve of cha-cha for the purpose of abolishing the protectionist provisions and oppose merely GMA’s term extension. The workers however resist both perpetuating GMA in power forever and removing the protectionist provisions of the Constitution. The working class oppose cha-cha not to defend the elite democracy enshrined in the 1987 Constitution but to protect the progressive provisions on national patrimony and labor rights.”

At the end of the forum, the 200 participants marched from SOLAIR to Philcoa for the noise barrage. Members of PM made noise using tools of production used by workers such as hammers, pliers and metal sheets to symbolize labor’s resistance to charter change. The noise barrage is part of labor-led protests calling for government action on the economic recession instead of charter revision.

“Government must act on the demand for social protection for the workers instead of term extension for GMA. Today union members in the giant Keppel shipyard in Cebu went on strike while workers in the big Mactan Export Processing Zone have been holding daily protests. The challenge that government must solve is the recession not the Constitution,” insisted Magtubo.

In their manifesto, it is stated that “The workers march side by side with the multisectoral movement against con-ass but build a parallel movement with independent demands for labor protection and economic protectionism. The workers add their voice to the people’s indignation over con-ass even as we air our own slogans for system change instead of charter change.”

The labor unrest in Cebu continues to escalate as the Keppel shipyard union went on strike at 5 a.m. today and the workers of Paul Yu, a lamp shade factory inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone, held both a sitdown protest inside the plant and a picket outside the gates.

“The State must act today with dispatch on the workers just demands or else it will have to face a full-blown workers rebellion tomorrow. We want the government to get busy with social protection for the workers instead of term extension for GMA,” stated Dennis Derige, spokesperson of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) in Cebu.

The shipyard workers went on strike today alleging union busting by management with picketlines setup outside the shipyard facilities. Yesterday 80 Keppel workers barged into their shipyard after one month of forced leave. The guards tried to prevent them from entering the shipyard on the pretext that the forced leave has been extended for another month but the workers were able to force their way past the gates. In a dialogue with management yesterday the Keppel union opposed the extension of their previous one month forced leave by another 30 days.

“One month is too long for our families to go hungry and sacrifice for management’s mistaken if not malicious decision to shift from ship repair to ship building. If Keppel will not open the shipyard for work then we ask the government to takeover the facilities and we will continue with the profitable ship repair work,” declared Roger Igot, president of Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Baradero Keppel Shipyard-National Federation of Labor.

Willy Dondoyano, head of the Paul Yu workers association, appealed for solidarity from export zone workers. “We ask for the support of our fellow workers inside the export zone. We all suffer the same violations of labor standards and repression of labor rights. Let us join hands in a common struggle for workers rights and welfare,” he stated.

In the hearing yesterday on the complaint filed by the Paul Yu workers, the Labor Department ordered the regularization of direct-hired contractual workers and the grant of benefits like paternity leave and service incentive leave for agency workers. The other major issues like the reduction of working days, job outsourcing, regularization of agency workers and money claims for three years of non-implementation of paternity leave and service incentive leave were remanded to the National Conciliation and Mediation Board. The Labor Department asked the workers to file a case at the National Labor Relations Commission regarding the suspension of the seven leaders.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

The simmering discontent among Cebu workers escalated into open protests with Keppel workers barging into their shipyard after one month of forced leave, and Paul Yu workers picketing the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“The Paul Yu workers are now on their fourth day of a work stoppage in support of seven suspended leaders while the Keppel labor dispute has been simmering for almost four months already. The government must act today with dispatch on the workers just demands or else it will have to face a full-blown workers rebellion tomorrow,” stated Dennis Derige, spokesperson of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) in Cebu.

Some 80 Keppel workers returned to work early morning today with the lapse of their one month forced leave yesterday. The guards tried to prevent them from entering the shipyard on the pretext that the forced leave has been extended for another month but the workers were able to force their way past the gates. The Keppel workers are holding a sitdown protest at the moment while awaiting a response from management on their demand that they be able to work again.

“One month is too long for our families to go hungry and sacrifice for management’s mistaken if not malicious decision to shift from ship repair to ship building. If Keppel will not open the shipyard for work then we ask the government to takeover the facilities and we will continue with the profitable ship repair work,” declared Roger Igot, president of Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Baradero (NMB) Keppel Shipyard-National Federation of Labor (NFL).

Meanwhile the Paul Yu workers picketed the PEZA offices while the seven suspended leaders and representatives of contractual workers held a dialogue at 9 a.m. with export zone officials and representatives of management. At 2 p.m. will troop to the DOLE office in Cebu City for a hearing on the complaint the workers filed against management.

Willy Dondoyano, head of the Paul Yu workers association, said that “The three-day workweek implemented since December lacks proper documentation and due notice. Also workdays were reduced for regular workers while 40% of production is outsourced to contractors.” The workers also found out that the AVI Amor Vil Inc., the biggest among three agencies that Paul Yu has contracted to supply workers for the factory, is not registered and thus illegal. They are also complaining of non-payment of holiday pay, non-remittance of SSS deductions for agency workers, non-implementation of paternity leave and non-payment of break time.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Workers of Paul Yu, a lamp shade factory inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) II producing for the export and local market, marked their third day of a work stoppage with a march from their factory to the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) office at the adjoining MEPZ I compound. The seven suspended leaders of the Paul Yu workers’ association were again prevented from entering the plant and more than 300 workers again refused to work in sympathy.

“We denounce the PEZA for being inutile in enforcing labor standards and protecting labor rights in the export zone. The MEPZ is a haven of criminals in suits while the export zone authority is a coddler of these crooked capitalists,” insisted Willy Dondoyano, head of the workers association and one of the seven suspended.

Some 30 workers from the nearby Altamode garments factory and members of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) marched in solidarity with the Paul Yu protesters. “The support of fellow workers is essential in gaining victory for the struggle of Paul Yu workers. We call on the workers of the export zone to join hands in solidarity in defense of our rights and welfare,” Renante Pelino, president of the newly-formed union at Altamode.

The work stoppage today paralyzed both the finishing section and the “black hand,” the main department of Paul Yu’s production where lamp shades are welded. The workers have however learned Paul Yu management is outsourcing the work at the black hand.

In the dialogue presided by the National Mediation and Conciliation Board (NCMB) yesterday, the representative of the Paul Yu management admitted that the preventive suspension of the seven leaders was faulty yet they will stand by their decision and threatened to slap absence without leave on the hundreds of workers who have refused to work. Today management sent a notice that they will terminate the contract of agency workers, many of which have participated in the protests.

“How can a foreign capitalist like the Taiwanese owner of Paul Yu stand above and ride roughshod over the Labor Code with the government powerless to lift a finger to protect the labor rights of Filipino workers? And then government wants to revise the Constitution to give more privileges for foreigners to control our economy and patrimony,” said Dennis Derige, PM spokesperson.

Tomorrow the Labor Department will hear the case filed by Paul Yu workers that three-day workweek implemented since December lacks proper documentation and due notice. The workers are also complaining that the workdays are reduced for regular workers while 40% of production is outsourced to contractors. They also found out that the AVI Amor Vil Inc., the biggest among three agencies that Paul Yu has contracted to supply workers for the factory, is not registered and thus illegal.

Among the protesting workers are agency employees who have worked for several years, some as long as five years, yet they remain irregulars whose contracts are renewed continuously every two months. Workers are also complaining of non-payment of holiday pay, non-remittance of SSS deductions for agency workers, non-implementation of paternity leave and non-payment of break time.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Workers at Paul Yu, a lamp shade factory inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) II producing for the export and local market, continued their work stoppage for the second straight day in protest at the suspension of seven leaders of their workers association. The seven were prevented from entering the factory premises at 8 a.m. today and around 400 workers refused to work in sympathy with the suspended workers.

“More workers compared to yesterday supported today’s mass action because they know that the suspension of the seven leaders is baseless and merely in retaliation for the protest action last May 8 and the filing of a case last May 21 against management’s numerous unfair labor practices. The MEPZ is a haven of criminals in suits while the export zone authority is a coddler of these crooked capitalists,” insisted Willy Dondoyano, head of the workers association and one of the seven suspended.

The work stoppage completely paralyzed the “black hand,” the main department of Paul Yu’s production where welding of lamp shades is done by regular workers. After massing at the factory gates, the 400 workers walked out of the MEPZ II compound and are holding a program at the export zone gates. A representative of Aboitiz Land, which owns the land on which MEPZ is located, has met the workers to mediate the dispute. The workers plan to march to the office of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) at the adjoining MEPZ I compound to air their demands.

With the labor dispute in Paul Yu escalating, workers in other MEPZ factories are expressing solidarity. Renante Pelino, president of the newly-formed union at Altamode, a garments export factory in MEPZ II, said that “We support the fight of the Paul Yu workers against reduction in workdays even as management outsources production to contractors. Their struggle is our struggle. An injury to one is an injury to all.” Meanwhile Greg Janginon, chairperson of Partido ng Manggagawa in Cebu, declared that “The global recession is just an alibi for Paul Yu management to annihilate workers rights and weaken labor standards. Workers refuse to pay the price of a crisis that is not of their making.”

On Thursday the Labor Department will hear the case filed by Paul Yu workers that three-day workweek implemented since December lacks proper documentation and due notice. The workers are also complaining that the workdays are reduced for regular workers while 40% of production is outsourced to contractors. They also found out that the AVI Amor Vil Inc., the biggest among three agencies that Paul Yu has contracted to supply workers for the factory, is not registered and thus illegal.

Among the protesting workers are agency employees who have worked for several years, some as long as five years, yet they remain irregulars whose contracts are renewed continuously every two months. Workers are also complaining of non-payment of holiday pay, non-remittance of SSS deductions for agency workers, non-implementation of paternity leave and non-payment of break time.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Hundreds of workers of a big lamp shade factory in the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) in Lapu-Lapu City refused to work today in sympathy with seven leaders that were suspended due to a protest action last month. Some 300 workers of Paul Yu, a locator in MEPZ II producing lamp shades for the export and local market, massed up outside the plant gates in protest. The work stoppage almost paralyzed the plant operations as only a few employees were working inside the factory.

“The suspension of seven leaders of the Paul Yu workers are not just in retaliation for the protest action last May 8 but also for the filing of a case last May 21 against management’s numerous unfair labor practices,” stated Willy Dondoyano, a leader of the Paul Yu workers and one of the seven suspended.

The work stoppage started at 8 a.m. today when seven leaders of the Paul Yu workers association were prevented from entering the factory premises on the strength of a suspension order. The preventive suspension was slapped by management supposedly for an “illegal strike” conducted last May 8. Officials of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) have met with the workers to convince them to return to work without their leaders but the protesters are adamant that all employees must be accepted back including those illegally suspending by management.

Dondoyano argued that “The May 8 protest cannot be considered an illegal strike for management agreed to face the workers in a dialogue together with PEZA officials. In the minutes of the dialogue that was duly signed by PEZA officials, it is stated that there will be no retaliatory action against workers involved in the protest.”

“Management is merely turning the tables on the workers. It is management that is guilty of illegal acts and unfair labor practice which we spelled out in the case we filed last May 21 at the Labor Department. Among these infractions is the three-day workweek implemented since December that lacks proper documentation and due notice with the Labor Department. Moreover, management is reducing the workdays for regular workers even as it continues to outsource 40% of its production to contractors,” he added.

The workers also found out that the AVI Amor Vil Inc., the biggest among three agencies that Paul Yu has contracted to supply workers for the factory, is not registered with the Labor Department and is thus another illegal act by management. A hearing has been scheduled on Thursday by the Labor Department to hear the complaints filed by the workers.

Among the protesting workers are agency employees who are up in arms at labor contractualization at Paul Yu. Many agency employees have worked for several years, some as long as five years, yet they remain irregulars whose contracts are renewed continuously every two months. Workers are also complaining of non-payment of holiday pay, non-remittance of SSS deductions for agency workers, non-implementation of paternity leave and non-payment of break time.

“Paul Yu is another case of a capitalist using the global crisis as an excuse to demolish workers rights and undercut labor standards. Workers are refusing to pay the price of a crisis that is not of their making. We salute the solidarity of the workers at Paul Yu, and their fight for labor rights,” stated Dennis Derige, spokesperson of Partido ng Manggagawa in Cebu.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The militant labor partylist group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) said several labor groups are preparing for a bigger battle over the issue of cha-cha as time constraint pushes this administration to resort to desperate actions such as last week’s railroading of the Con-Ass resolution in Congress.

PM chair Renato Magtubo said the ultimate battle will be during the time when Congress formally convenes into a Constituent Assembly. During that time, the labor leader said, the Arroyo government may face the biggest assembly of people that may not only derail the convening of Con-Ass but may also call for radical change in government.

Magtubo made this bold prediction while leading members in the “Byaheng Riles Laban sa Cha-Cha train ni Gloria” this morning. Some 300 members of PM and Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) in push-trolleys trek the south rail track from Bicutan Interchange in Paranaque City to Magallanes in Makati to participate in the scheduled Ayala anti-Con-Ass rally.

Those who participated in the railway protest were displaced workers from shutdown factories in the former industrial belt of Paranaque and urban poor communities in the area who were demolished or evicted from their homes.

From Magallanes, PM members will merge with other members and the Laban ng Masa contingent at the corner of Pasay Road before proceeding to Ayala Avenue. PM chapters also held simultaneous local protests in Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Ilo-ilo, Cebu, Davao, and Bacolod.

Magtubo, said the toiling masses will not allow these political machinations to distract their energy in pushing this government to address the plight of workers and the poor amidst recession, adding that workers will not only oppose cha-cha but will continue fighting for their demands for a bailout and the reversal of liberalization, deregulation and privatization policies.

“Workers need no service extensions from Gloria and the plundering trapos. What we need are new policies that will free this country from foreign and elite control. Workers need no new constitution to perpetrate old and new criminals clothed in official barongs. What this country needs is a new government that ensures full protection to labor and where the real majority of our people rules,” concludes Magtubo.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) will lead the noise barrage at two chokepoints in Metro Manila today as labor-led protests against con-ass and cha-cha continued. At 2 p.m. some 300 urban poor will mobilize at Paranaque. While at 6 p.m. another group of 300 Manila residents and PM members will hold a separate noise barrage.

“The distrust and disapproval ratings of Gloria Arroyo are an early plebiscite on cha-cha. That one in every two Filipinos distrust and disapprove of Gloria Arroyo expresses the people’s rejection of the attempt to extend her term through con-ass,” argued Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

Members of PM and Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino in Paranaque marched from their communities to the Bicutan palengke at the Bicutan interchange for the noise barrage. Residents of the Balic-Balic community led by the Holy Trinity Parish priest Fr. Erik Adoviso will be joined by PM members for the noise barrage at Welcome Rotonda. Fr. Erik Adoviso is head of the Archbishop of Manila Labor Ministry.

“We appeal to religious leaders to reject the courting from Malacanang and to stand firm against con-ass. The sweet talk from Malacanang is mere double talk. The workers protests are in response to the Catholic Church’s call versus con-ass and are parallel to multisectoral movement against cha-cha. The working class adds its voice to the people’s indignation over the railroading of con-ass and the desperate attempt to extend GMA’s term,” explained Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary general.

She stated that “We call on the people to make noise today or else we will wake up tomorrow with Gloria Arroyo remaining in power as prime minister. She is already earnestly campaigning with 15 trips to Pampanga in less than four months or once a week. There is no other reason for Gloria Arroyo’s visits except to woo voters for a run at the congressional seat now occupied by her son. Gloria Arroyo as a prime minister means the old dog returning with a new collar.”

“The denials of the trapos who sponsored signed Resolution 1109 cannot be believed like the generals who talk of peace even as they prepare for war. The 2010 polls that Nograles and others speak of will be elections for the members of parliament not a new president,” insisted Magtubo.

“Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony that remains in the Constitution,” Magtubo clarified as the basis for labor’s opposition to cha-cha.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Some 300 factory workers and community residents marched around the Cavite Economic Zone in the town of Rosario to express outrage over the passage of Resolution 1109. “The workers protests are in response to the multisectoral movement against cha-cha and the Catholic Church’s call versus con-ass. The working class adds its voice to the people’s indignation over the railroading of con-ass and the desperate attempt to extend GMA’s term,” stated Dennis Sequena, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)-Cavite chairperson.

Members of the Rosario Workers Association (RWA), United Cavite Workers Association and Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite led two contingents that met around 10 a.m. at the main gate of the Cavite Economic Zone then marched around the export zone. The first group came from the towns of Gen. Trias and Tanza, and assembled at Tejero. The second contingent came from the towns of Rosario, Kawit and Cavite City, and gathered at the Rosario Municipal Hall.

Marites Manjares of RWA argued that “The workers call on Congress to retreat from changing the Constitution and instead act on the economic recession. The recession has been overshadowed by other sensational news but it is a threat worse than the outbreak of the AH1N1 virus while the epidemic of layoffs is a worse scandal than the Hayden-Katrina sex video.”

PM renewed its call for a workers bailout in order to stimulate the economy and counter the recession. The group is calling for tax refund, unemployment insurance and direct subsidies to displaced employees and poor people in to order to “put money in the hands of workers and the poor” and revive consumer demand.

“Resolution 1109 may be one small step for her allies in the House of Representatives but it is a giant leap for GMA. It may not be long now when the people will wake up one morning to be greeted by a Prime Minister GMA. Con-ass is the illegitimate child of the Lakas-Kampi marriage and the secret godchild of Gloria Arroyo. It is a GMA-PALAKA outrage that is worse than the sex videos,” Manjares added.

Sequena expained that “Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony that remains in the Constitution.”

Tomorrow the urban poor will hold a noise barrage at the Bicutan Interchange in Paranaque to call on Congress to withdraw the con-ass move. Affiliates of the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino and PM in Paranaque will march from their communities to the Bicutan palengke at the Bicutan Interchange. They will hold a noise barrage to call for a stop to con-ass and the scrapping of cha-cha.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) will lead workers in Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog in protest actions against con-ass and cha-cha this coming week. On Monday factory workers will march around the Cavite Economic Zone in Rosario to express outrage over the passage of Resolution 1109. While on Tuesday the urban poor will hold a noise barrage at the Bicutan Interchange in Paranaque to call on Congress to withdraw the con-ass move.

“The workers protests are in response to the multisectoral movement against cha-cha and the Catholic Church’s call versus con-ass. The working class adds its voice to the people’s indignation over the railroading of con-ass and the desperate attempt to extend GMA’s term,” stated Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

In the Monday mass action, members of Rosario Workers Association and United Cavite Workers Association will lead two contingents that will come from Gen. Trias and Tanza, and Rosario, Kawit and Cavite City. The first group will assemble at Tejero and the second will gather at the Rosario Municipal Hall. The two contingents will meet at the main gate of the Cavite Economic Zone then march around the export zone. Meanwhile on Tuesday, affiliates of the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino in Paranaque will march from their communities to the Bicutan palengke at the Bicutan Interchange. They will hold a noise barrage to call for a stop to con-ass and the scrapping of cha-cha.

Magtubo added that “The workers call on Congress to retreat from changing the Constitution and instead act on the economic recession. The recession has been overshadowed by other sensational news but it is a threat worse than the outbreak of the AH1N1 virus while the epidemic of layoffs is a worse scandal than the Hayden-Katrina sex video.”

PM renewed its call for a workers bailout in order to stimulate the economy and counter the recession. The group is calling for tax refund, unemployment insurance and direct subsidies to displaced employees and poor people in to order to “put money in the hands of workers and the poor” and revive consumer demand.

“Resolution 1109 may be one small step for her allies in the House of Representatives but it is a giant leap for GMA. It may not be long now when the people will wake up one morning to be greeted by a Prime Minister GMA. Con-ass is the illegitimate child of the Lakas-Kampi marriage and the secret godchild of Gloria Arroyo. It is a GMA-PALAKA outrage that is worse than the sex videos. Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony that remains in the Constitution,” explained Magtubo.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Some 300 workers and poor led by the militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) will stage a picket at the Batasang Pambansa this afternoon in protest at the passage of Resolution 1109 providing for convening Congress as a constituent assembly. “Con-ass is the illegitimate first born child of the Lakas-Kampi marriage that was officiated by GMA herself. It is a GMA-PALAKA scandal that is worse than the Hayden-Katrina sex video,” insisted Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

Magtubo argued that “Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony. Chacha will benefit Gloria, the trapos and foreigners.”

“The P20 million bribe for chacha’s passage worked its miracle to ensure a quorum and make Judases of the trapos in Congress. Instead of responding to the challenge of worsening poverty and unemployment, Congress railroaded the con-ass for the purpose of extending GMA’s term. The first crucial step has been taken on the road to GMA return to power as Prime Minister,” Magtubo added.

Families affected by the PNR Rehabilitation project from the Bicutan Segment picketed in front of the National Housing Authority Office today to demand their acceptance as beneficiaries eligible for entry to the relocation site.

Michael Dasigan, President of the Pinagkaisang Mamamayan mula sa Riles (PMR), presented documents regarding the issue, including letters to various government offices. Despite the documents, they have been denied access to the relocation site.

Dasigan added, “Today’s negotiation is crucial, for the first time we will meet with Assistant General Manager, Mr. Froilan Kampitan to air our demands. If they disapprove our petition then we will also be denied our temporary shelter thus forcing us to go back to railways.”

After the dialogue they will join the farmers at the House of Representative to push for the passage of the CARPER and the protest against the passage of the con-ass resolution.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) slammed the move in the House of Representatives to revive the charter change. “Chacha through Resolution 1109 is a Frankenstein monster that has been resurrected from the dead by mad trapos. Chacha is exit plan of GMA yet it is the road to perdition for the people. Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony,” argued stated Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

PM is calling on the plenary session of the Lower House to scrap Resolutions 1109 and 737. The group reiterated that the working class and the Filipino people will resist changing the Constitution “for the benefit of Gloria, the trapos and foreigners.”

“The rumored P20 million bribe for chacha’s passage is the price of the modern-day Judases who will betray the people’s interests. Instead of responding to the challenge of worsening poverty and unemployment, Congress is busy with chacha for the purpose of extending GMA’s term. We might wake up one morning with GMA returning to power as Prime Minister via con-ass or con-con,” argued Magtubo.

He added that “After Villafuerte’s necrological service for Resolution 1109 that provides for a con-ass, it is high time to bury Nograles’ Resolution 737 and other charter change proposals that will only benefit foreigners and trapos. The workers and the poor will be the gravediggers of GMA’s chacha.”

Workers led by PM joined farmers groups last week in a big mobilization to push for the extension with reform of CARP and also to oppose charter change.

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